32. Jerome

Chapter 32

Jerome

I stood silently in the corner of the sprawling living room, eyes scanning for any sign of intrusion, any hint of threat. The weight of my responsibility pressed down on me like a physical force, the tension knotting my muscles as I observed her. She was laughing now, a rare and uninhibited sound that resonated through the spacious room, but even that couldn't ease the tight coil of apprehension in my gut.

Can I really keep her safe? The question haunted me, pacing the perimeters of my mind with the relentless cadence of a sentry. I had been trained to face danger head-on, to be the shield against chaos and violence. Yet, standing in Raven's presence, surrounded by opulence and normalcy, I felt a disquieting tremor of doubt.

Raven was becoming used to the terror. We had gone a couple of days without an intrusive note or phone call, so I thought maybe they had finally given up.

"What are you doing over there? Don't you want to chill and watch the movie?"

There was no way I could sit down and chill. I was on edge. "I'm good here, thanks."

"I know what this job asks of you, the sacrifices you make. But I also see you , Jerome. Not just as a bodyguard, but as the man who has never once let me down."

I remained silent.

"Even when I can't see the dangers ahead, I feel safe because you're here. I trust you with my life," she continued, her gaze never wavering. "Not just because it's your duty, but because I believe in your strength, your honor. You're not just a hired hand; you're the reason I can still stand tall amidst this chaos."

She believes in me . Despite all the risks, the close calls, she sees something in me that's worth her trust.

My own doubts, those constant shadows that lurked in the recesses of my mind, began to recede. Raven's belief acted as a beacon, guiding him through the fog of uncertainty that had clouded his thoughts.

If she can trust me, then maybe I can trust myself . The idea took root, anchoring itself. The insecurities that gnawed at me now seemed distant, inconsequential compared to the conviction I saw in Raven's eyes.

"Your trust—it means more to me than you might realize. I won't let you down. No matter what comes our way. That's my promise to you."